It's been seven years since Penn Manor High School (PMHS) started hosting a Mini-THON event, and this year, students broke the school's record by raising their highest amount yet.

Mini-THON is recognized as the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. It's an annual fundraiser where students must stay awake and stand for several hours to raise money to help conquer childhood cancer. The motto of Mini-THON is "FTK" because everything the students do during Mini-THON is "For The Kids."

PMHS' Mini-THON is one of the many branches of the overall THON held by Penn State University. As stated on http://www.thon.org, "Our mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research - all in pursuit of a cure." Last year, PMHS held a 12-hour event that featured live music, Zumba, and multiple sports competitions. Students raised a total of more than $41,207 throughout the year to help the families fighting pediatric cancer at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. PMHS held this year's Mini-THON on Feb. 18 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and students raised a total of more than $45,710 to help the families fighting pediatric cancer at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

BillieJo Kramer and Jenn Forney serve as co-advisers for the club.

"I just have a heart for the families who have to deal with childhood cancer and the kind of strength they have," said Kramer. "My sister's husband's nephew went through all of Hershey and Four Diamonds. He's graduated from college since then. It's just nice to see that the money you put towards it is getting used for what it says it is."

"I like the cause and that the kids are excited about it," commented Forney. "My mom had cancer years ago, so that's always been something to advocate for. I knew a family growing up that went to Hershey through Four Diamonds and St. Jude's, so I saw the support and how Four Diamonds helped the family."

Seniors Devyn Mauger, Riley Robinson, Ryleigh Sottek, and Riley Peart served as this year's "overalls," which are student leaders who help facilitate each of the committees.

The club set the goal this year at $20,000. Forney noted that the members wanted to keep the goal realistic, so they were surprised when they realized how much money they had raised. About 180 students attended the overnight event, which is another school record. In order to attend Mini-THON, students must create a donor drive, where they raise a minimum of $35. Students also obtained donations from area businesses.

"We just want to say thanks to the community for chipping in and thanks to the administration for allowing us to do THON," said Kramer.

More information about Four Diamonds is available at https://fourdiamonds.org.